Cooper expands rallycross activities with RX Lites supply contract

Cooper Tire Europe, already a global force in rallycross tyre products, has expanded its involvement in the sport and will be the sole tyre partner to the RX Lites championship.

Cooper Tire Europe is already the sole supplier to the FIA World Rallycross Championship and has been since the series’ inception last year.

RX Lites is a strictly-controlled, one-make championship designed to provide an affordable platform to showcase the talent of emerging young rallycross drivers.

The championship kicks off in Portugal this weekend (April 24-26) and features eight rounds, with each event running as part of the World RX championship calendar.

Cooper Tire Europe Marketing Communications Manager, Sarah McRoberts, said, “As well as being one of the most exciting forms of motorsport to watch, rallycross is also one of the most challenging technically when it comes to tyre supply, because the tyres have to cope with extreme treatment on varying track surfaces.

“However, Cooper has been untouchable at the forefront of rallycross tyre design and development for the last two decades. Now, with the advancement of the FIA World RX Championship, we are cementing our commitment to the sport by extending our supply to the feeder series and supporting new young drivers coming through the ranks.”

RX Lites pits young drivers head-to-head in the same cars, meaning that driving talent comes to the fore. The cars are specially-prepared OMSE Lites vehicles featuring 2.4-litre engines producing 310bhp. They are four-wheel drive with sequential gearboxes, providing young drivers with the perfect schooling for a career in rallycross.

The RX Lites championship will launch a talent search to encourage more new talent into rallycross next month. Applicants have been able to nominate themselves for the last month and a shortlist of 10-12 will take part in a shoot-out style evaluation at Lydden Hill circuit on May 21, just ahead of the British round of the championship on May 22-24.

For more information about Cooper Tire Europe, go to www.coopertire.co.uk. Find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. For more information about RX Lites, please visit: www.rxlites.com.